By MB Online
Filipina weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz expressed her dismay towards people who belittle athletes in her social media account.
Philippine's Hidlyn Diaz celebrates after winning gold at the women's 53 kg weightlifting at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Atleta lang! Yan parati nasa aking isipan. Pabalik-balik at ako’t sobrang nasaktan, (My being "just an athlete" is something that hurts.”), Diaz wrote on her Twitter, stating that she was feeling down prior the 2018 Asian Games 2018.
“Atleta lang sa taong nasa mataas na posisyon ng Philippine Sports, yan ang akin narinig. Sobrang sakit at ito ay pabalik-balik (People in high positions in Philippine sports call me just an athlete and it just goes on and on.. It really hurts) ,” she continued.
The Asian Games 2018 gold medalist then took pride in being an athlete, stating that her love for sports paved the way for her to reach different milestones in life.
“Ako’y nakapag-aral dahil ako’y atleta lang. Ako’y nakapagtrabaho dahil ako’y atleta lang. Ako’y nakarepresenta ang Pilipinas dahil ako’y atleta lang. Ako’y nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa dahil ako’y atleta lang (I studied even if I'm just an athlete. I worked. I represented the Philippines. I gave my country honor by just being an athlete),” she wrote.
Diaz ended her post by saying that being an athlete defines who she is and that she is proud to represent the Philippines. (Noreen Jazul)